Separating apparatus



June 7, 1932. F. A. QUIROZ SEPARATING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 6, 1928 3Sheets-Sheet l on @N Filed Dec. 6, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 n3 un F. A.QUIROZ 1,861,878

SEPARATING APPARATUS Filed Dec. e, 1928 s Sheet Sheet 5 June 7, 1932.

fmw a INVENTOR BY GTMX 13M ATTORNEY ?atcnted June '7, 1932 ernnr r icelER-ANGISGO A. QUIRGZ, F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK SEPARATING APPARATUSApplication filed December 6, 1928. Serial .No. 324,188.

This invention relates to separating apparatus, and more particularly toapparatus for separating from a liquid solid particles suspendedtherein.

3 One of the objects of this invention is to provide an apparatus of theabove-mentioned character that will be o'l rugged and thor oughlypractical construction and capable of dependable action and highelficiency 1-3 in practical use. Another object is to provide aseparating apparatus whereby .centrifugal force or forces may beutilized, for achieving the separation of substances having ditlerentspecific gravities, such as 15 solid particles suspended in a liquid, in

a thoroughly practical manner for eificiently, rapidly and economicallyeffecting a dependable separation. Another objecti's .to provide anapparatus oi the above-mentioned 719 character in which particlessuspended in a liquid may be reliably and elliciently'zseparatel fromthe liquid without necessitating complicated apparatus or the subjectionof the mixture to successive stages of separating 53 action. Anotherobject is to provide separate ing apparatus or "the above-mentionedcharacter capable of continuous and steady separating action. Anotherobject is to provide simple and thoroughly dependable and emcient meansfor feeding a mixture to the separating apparatus and for removin theseparated products therefrom. Another object is to provide a centrifigal separator construction having thoroughly dependable and eflicientdriving mechanism for the several parts and moreover, having suchdriving mechanism dependably protected from the materials, liquids, andthe like, operated upon by the v apparatus. Another object is to providea centrifugal separating apparatus capable of hi 11 speed of operation,and having a high "1d continuous separating capacity. Another object isto provide an apparatus of the above-mentioned character that will bewell 1 adapted to meet the varying conditions of hard practical use,that will be ofrugged and dependable yet inexpensive construction, oflow cost of upkeep, and highly economical in practical use. Otherobjects will be in part obvious or in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements, and arr; ngements of parts as will beexemplified in the structure to be herein after described and the scopeof the applica- 55 tion .ofwhich will be indicated in the followmgclaims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which are shown certain preferred ofvarious possible embodiments of the mechanical ifeaco tures of myinvention,

Figure 1 is a central vertical sectional view of theseparatingapparatus, certain parts being shown in elevation, and

Figure 2 is :a vertical sectional view taken substantially along theline 2-2 of Figure 1, certain parts being shown in elevation and certainother parts being broken away in order to illustrate more cleanlycertain parts of the apparatus.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of a modified form ofpart oftheapparatus shown in Figures'l and '2.

liigure l is a vertical sectional view of another possible modified formwhich certain parts of my apparatus may take.

Figure 5 is a plan view of my apparatus.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views in the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Figures 1 and 2,the apparatus will be seen to be provided with a. base having secure-dthereto at its respective ends, as seen in Figure 1, upright standards11 and 12 shaped attheir upper ends as at 13 and 14, respectively, 'toprovide housings for anti-friction or roller bearings and 16,,respectively. The housings 13 and 14 are suitably bored out to receivethe outer races of the roller bearings 15 and 16, while supported by theinner races of the roller bearings 15 and 16 is a tubular-like or hollowdriving member 17, the inner races of the bearings being suit-ablyclamped against suit-. able shoulders in the tubular member '17 by meansof lock nuts 18.

At an intermediate point the hollow driving member 17 is cut away uponopposite sides thereof, as is shown at 19 and 20 in Figure 2, andextending through the member 17 and suitably journaled therein is ashaft 21. The shaft 21 is rotatably supported within and with respect tothe tubular driving member 17 and is preferably of lesser diameter thanthe inside diameter of the member 17, except at a suitable number ofsections in the shaft 21 as, for example, at 22, 23, 24 and 25, theselatter sections having a running fit with respect to the member 17 andbeing of sufficient axial extent to provide suitable hearing surfacesfor relative rotation between the shaft 21 and the member 17. The shaft21 may be made of one piece throughout its length, or it may besectionalized, if desired; at an intermediate point in its length andthroughout a section thereat of an axial length commensurate with theaxial length of the openings 19 and 20 the shaft is provided with or hasformed therein a gear 26, driving access to which is gained through theopenings 19 and 20. The bearing sections 22, 23, 24 and 25 of the shaftare preferably provided with oil grooves, as shown, and lubricant may besupplied therethrough, as at 28. At its left-hand end, as seen in Figure1, the sleeve-like driving member 17 projects beyond the: bearinghousing 13 and has keyed thereto a gear 27. The left-hand end of shaft21 terminates in flush relation with the end face of the member 17, adisk 29 being secured to the end of theshaft 21, as by the cap screw 30;this disk 29 overlaps the end faces of both the member 17 and the hub ofthe gear 27 and prevents movement to the right of the shaft 21 withrespect to the member 17.

The right-hand end of the member 17 terminates substantially flush withthe outer face of a plate-like member 31 of a casing which is secured tothe standard 12 and which closes the bearing housing 14, and the shaft21 projects beyond the right-hand end of the member 17. The projectingend of the shaft 21 has keyed thereto a gear 32, the gear on this oneend of the shaft 21 coacting with the disk 29 on the lefthand end of theshaft 21 to prevent relative axial movement between the shaft 21 and thetube-like driving member 17.

A suitable plate-like member 33 closes the bearing housing 15, and, likethe member 31 which closes the bearing housing 14, is provided with asuitable packing for preventing escape of lubricant from the bearing orfor preventing access to the bearing of foreign matter. A suitablepacking construction not unlike that of a stuffing box, indicated at 34,is provided for closing each inner end of the bearing housings 13 and 14for not only preventing escape of lubricant from the housing but alsopreventing ingress of foreign matter.

A rearward extension of the base 10 supports an electric motor 35, aswill be clear from Figures 2 and 5, and supported in suitstantialalinement with the shaft 38 of the motor.

Shaft 36 carries a gear 39 substantially alined with the gear 27, thesetwo gears being connected so that the former drives the latter by meansof a suitable driving chain 40, preferably a toothed chain for toothedengagement with the respective gears. The shaft 38 of motor is connectedto the shaft 36 through any suitable speed change mechanism, preferablyof the sliding gear type, diagrammatically indicated at 41 in Figure 5,a handle 41a permitting prcdetermination of the ratio of drive betweenthe two shafts 36 and 38. Thus, the speed of drive of the gear 27 andhence of the tubular driving member 17 (see Figure 1) may be varied orpredetermined at will, for purposes more clearly described hereinafter.

The shaft 37 carries a gear 42 (see Fig ure 5) which is connected withthe gear 32 (Figure 1) on the shaft 21 by means of a driving chain 43which is preferably of the toothed type for toothed engagement withthese two gears. Shaft 37 is connected with shaft 38 of the motor 35 bymeans of a clutch 44 and by means of a speed change mechanism 45, asdiagrammatically indicated in Figure 5. The clutch 44 is provided withan operating handle 46 and is preferably of the friction type,conveniently of the cone type of clutch. Speed change mechanism may beof substantially similar construction as the speed change mechanism 41hereinabove d scribed and is provided with a suitable operating handle47.

Suitable housings 48 and 49, preferably bolted to the standards 11 and12 respectively (see Figure 1) encase the two drivin chains and theirrespective gears or sprocl Spaced apart in an axial direction with respect to the tubular driving member 17 and secured thereto so as torotate therewith are two supporting members generally indicated at 50and 51 (see Figure 1), each of these members having hub-like portions 52and 53 respectively for mounting the members upon the tubular member 17,and having also a substantially circular periphery as indicated at 54and 55 respectively. Supported upon the base 10 is an enclosing casing,preferably of substantially circular cross-section, as shown in Figure2, and made up of a bottom portion 56 and an upper portion 57 the latterbeing preferably arranged so that access to the interior of the casing5657 may be gained and hence the member 57 is conveniently hinged to themember 56, as by suitable hinge pins 58. A suitable lifting ring 59atthe upper portion 57 of the casing permits the latter to be movedrelative to the bottom portion 56.

manure 'The interior of the casing 56'5f? is provided with an inwardlydirected and peripherally extending flange 60 (Figure l), the inner edgeof which extends into relatively close proximity .to the circularperiphery 54: of the supporting member thus, as the member 50 rotateswith the driving member 17, the flange 60, together with the circularperiphery 54 of the member '50 efiects a substantial sub-division of theinterior of the casing 5657 into an end chamber A and a central chamberB, the right-hand boundary of chamber B being formed by the rotatingsupporting member '51 and the coaction with the circular periphery 55 ofwhich with the inwardly directed and coacting flange 61 on the interiorof the casing portions 56 and 57, as will be clear from Figure 1. Thereis thus also formed between the member 51 with the flanges 61 and theright-hand endcwall of the casing portions 5657 an end chamber C.

These spaced members 50 and 51, which rotate as a unit with the drivingmember 17, are adapted rotatably to support between them a plurality ofwhat will hereinafter be termed separating units. By way of illustrationI have shown (see Figure 2') four separating units designated generallyat 62, 63, 64 and 65. In Figure l the unit 62 is shown in frontelevation and the unit 64 is shown in vertical central cross-section,and since the construction of all of the units is preferably identicalit will suffice to describe the construction and mounting of only one.

Referring first to Figure 1, it is first to be noted that the separatingunit 64 includes a vessel 66 preferably of circular cross-section andpreferably also tapered. As will be clear from Figure 1, the diameter ofthe vessel 66 increases in a direction moving toward the right along theaxis of the vessel 66. The left-hand end wall 67 of the vessel 66 isextended in a direction toward the left to form a stud shaft 68 coaxialwith the axis of the vessel 66. This stud shaft 68, which, with the endwall 67, may be formed integrally with or may be suitably secured to thevessel 66, is hollow to provide a passage indicated at 69 and isrotatably supported with respect to the rotating supporting member 50 bymeans preferably of a roller bearing generally indicated at '70, theinner race of which is carried by the stud shaft 68, and the outer raceof which is suitably fitted into an appropriate annulus 71 formed in thesupporting member 50. A suitable annular 7 2 suitably secured to theannulus 71 subst ntially closes in the right-hand end of the bear-- ingwhile an appropriate annular-litre portion 73 of the member 50 closesof? the left" hand end of the bearing 70, the latter being thussubstantially encased to prevent egress: of lubrication from the bearingand to pro vent ingress of foreign material into the bearmg. g V v Theright-hand end portion of the vessel 66 is turned down as at 74,adjacent an end ring-like flange 7 5 extending about the periphery ofthe vessel 66. Seated upon the turned portion 74 is a ring-like gear 76which, as will be clear from Figure 1, abuts against the flange 7 5.

The right-hand end of the vessel 66 is closed by end wall member 77which is secured in place by means of cap screws 78 that pass throughthe flange and are threaded into suitable threaded openings in thegeared ring member 7 6. Thus, both the end wall member 77 and the gear76 are rigidly secured to the vessel 66,

The end wall member 77 has a hollow cylindrical extension 79 the axis ofwhich is substantially alined with the axis of the stud shaft 68; thecylindrical extension 79 is rotatably supported in the rotatingsupporting member 51, preferably by means of a roller bearing indicatedgenerally at 80 and the inner race of which is fitted about theextension 7 9 and the outer race of which is fitted into a suitableannulus 81 formed in the supporting member 51. A suitable flange 82closes in the left hand end of the bearing 80 and a portion 83 of thewall'memberforming partof the supporting member '51 closes off theright-hand end of the bearing 80. The bearing 80 is-thus appropriatelyenclosed.

It will thus be seen that the separating unit 64: is dependablysupported for rotation about its own axis and that, upon rotation of thetubular driving member 17 with the supporting members 50 and 51 fixedthereto, the separating unit 64 will also partake of rot tion about theaxis of the driving member 17. The other separating units, beingsimilarly constructed and mounted, as hereinbefore noted, as is theseparating unit 64, will thus also be seen to be capable of partaking ofsimilar rotation about their respective axes as well as about the axisof the driving member 17.

Referring now to Figure 2, it may at this point be noted thatthe'remaining separating units are also provided with gear rings likethe gear member 76 on the unit 64; more pecifically, the gear members ofthe units 63, '62 and 65 are indicated in Figure 2 re snectively at 88,8e and 85. Moreover, the axes of the separating units 62, 63, 64 and 65are so related to the rotating supporting members 50 and 51 and thediameters of the gears 76, 83, 84 and 85 are so selected that the latterfour gear members mesh consecutively with one another and so that hencethe four separating units are geared together thereby, as will be clearfrom Figure 2.

The driving of the separating units to rotate them about their own axesis achieved from the driving shaft 21 which, as will be clear fromFigures 1 and 2 and as hasalready been hereinabove noted, extends withinthe tubular driving member 17 More s ecificall the ear member 26 iseared preferably to two opposed separating units and, as shown inFigures 1 and 2, is geared to the gears 76 and S4 of the separatingunits 64 and 62, respectively, by means of intermediate gears 86 and 87,respectively.

The intermediate gears 86 and 87 are mounted upon shafts 88 and 89,respectively, the latter being supported by a yoke member 90 extendingabout and rigidly secured to the tubular driving member 17. The yokemember 90 extends to both sides of the openings 19 and 20, as viewed inboth Figures 1 and 2, and acts also to reinforce and strengthen thetubular driving member 17 at those portions where it is cut away, as at19 and 20, to expose the gear 26 of the driving shaft 21. 7

If now the motor 35 is set into operation with the clutch 44 disengagedand with the speed change mechanisms 41 and 45 adjusted or set to givethe gears 39 and 42 (see Figure 5) appropriate relative speeds, gear 27(see Figure 1) is first set inrotation and with it the driving member 17and hence also the supporting members 50 and 51, the rotation of thelatter causing the plurality of separating units to be rotated about theaxis of the driving member 17, it being at this point noted that, inview of certain other features of construction to be later hereinafterdescribed, the direction of drive is such that the plurality ofseparating units rotate about the axis of the driving member 17 in acounterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 2. After these partshave come up to full speed, the clutch 44 is operated gradually to applythe driving torque of the motor 35 to the gear 42 (see Figure 5) andthence to the gear 32 and shaft 21, the latter bein driven incounterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 2, but at a speed lessthan the speed of drive of the driving member 17. The relative rotationthat thus takes place between the gear 26 and the intermediate gears 86and 87 (which rotate about the axis of the gear 26 with and at the speedof the tubular driving member 17) results in driving the separatingunits 62 and 64 (which are geared directly to the gears 87 and 86,respectively) and hence also of the units 63 and (which are directlygeared to the units 62 and 64) at a relatively slow rate about their ownand respective axes. Units 64 and 62 are rotated in counterclockwisedirection and units 63 and 65 are rotated in clockwise direction, asviewed in Figure 2.

By way solely of illustration, the tubular driving member 17 and hencethe separating units may be rotated about the axis of the former at, forexample, 1000 R. P. M., and the driving speed of the shaft 21 is suchthat the individual separating units rotate about their own axes at, forexample, 3 or 4 R. P. M. These values, however, are purely illustrativeand may be widely departed from in practice, depending upon variousconditions met with in practice, as will be pointed out by way ofexample hereinafter.

The materials to be separated from each other, such as, for example, amixture of a liquid and solid matter suspended therein, are supplied toeach of the separating units during the above-described compositerotation thereof, are separated into the liquid and the solid matter andthe separated materials withdrawn from the separating units.

Considering now first the manner in which the separating units aresupplied with this mixture, itmay first be pointed out that theright-hand or inner end of the passage 69 in the stud shaft 68 (seeFigure 1) connects with a plurality of passages 91 extending radiallythrough an inwardly directed portion 67a of the wall member 67 (seeFigs. 1 and 2), the outer ends of these radial passages 91 connectingwith the left-hand end of the interior of the separating unit, as willbe clear from Figure 1. A tube-like member 92, mounted in the hollowstud shaft 68 and sealed thereto by means of a stufiing box construction93 (Figure 1) forms an extension in a direction toward the left of thepassage 69 and its left-hand end connects with the outer end of apassage 94, the left-hand walls of which (as viewed in Figure 1) beingformed preferably integrally with and as part of the supporting member50. This passage 94 extends radially toward the axis of the drivingmember 17. Moreover, the supporting member 50 is provided with as manyradially extending passages 94 as there are separating units and inFigure 1 the connecting passage 94 associated with the separating units62 is shown partly in section and partly in elevation.

The various passages 94, four in number in the illustrative embodimentshown in the drawings, terminate adjacent the driving member 17 in anaxially extending and annular flange 95 into the opening within whichprojects a sleeve member 96 secured at its lefthand end to the enclosingcasing, preferably to the standard 11, as by the screws 97. Sufficientclearance is provided between the flange 95 and the sleeve 96 to permitthe former to rotate about the latter.

Extending at right angles to the sleeve 96 and in a directionrearwardly, as viewed in Figure 1, and through the casing portion 56 isa pipe or conduit 98 shown in Figure 5 through which the liquid mixturemay be supplied to the sleeve 96 from any suitable source.

Thus, as the apparatus is driven and the separating units; rotatedaboutthe axis of the driving member 17 as well as about their ownrespective axes, the mixture to be separated into its constituents issupplied. through the pipe 98 whence it flows. through the sleeve 96into the respective passages 9 ileading to the separating units; passingoutwardly in'a radial direction along these passages 9%, the mixtureenters the passage 69 in the stud shaft 68, through the tube 92 (seeFigure 1), this flow being aided by centrifugal force due to therotation about the axis of the member 17. From the passage 69 themixture flows radially and outwardly through the passages 91 in theportion 6145 of the wall member 6?, but only through such of the pas.-sages 91 as happen to be positioned outside of a circle passed throughthe axes of rotation of the several separating units, as viewed inFigure 2, the centrifugal force making certain that this action takesplace,

Thus, viewing the passages 91, as shown in Figure 2, the mixture willenter the separating unit substantially only through those passageswhich extend to the left of a ver-. tical plane passed through the axis.of re tation of the unit 65, as viewed in Figure 2 Similarly, thecentrifugal force maintains the mixture within the vessels of therespective separating units only in those portions thereof most remotefrom the axis of the driving member 17.

Secured'to the portion 67a of the left-hand wall member 67 of theseparating unit is an interior vessel 99 preferably of circularcrosssection and of gradually increasing diameter in direction from theleft to the right, as

clearly indicated in Figure 1. The righthand end of this interior vessel99 is open while the left-hand end is closed by a wall member 100 whichcloses the right-hand end of the passage 69 and forms the right-handwalls of the radial passages 91, the latter being formed preferably bymaking appropriate radial slots in the member 67a, as will be clear fromFigure 2.

Extending from points adjacent the axis of the member 99 are a pluralityof passages 101 formed in the wall 100 (see Figure 1) and the left-handends of the passages 101 con nect with passages 102 formed in the parts67a and 6'7. Any suita le number of such passage 101 102 may beprovided, and in Figure 2 are indicated as many passages 101102 as thereare passages 91. These passages 102 will be seen to terminate and to. bedistributed throughout the periphery of the rotating vessel 66 andadjacent its lefthand end, as viewed in Figure 1. In the upper portionoi Figures 1 these passages 102 are clearly shown with respect to theseparating unit 62. V

The degree of taper of the interior vessel 99 may be and preferably issubstantially similar to the degree of taper of the vessel 66;

At the right-hand portion of the vessel 66 and equally distributed aboutthe interior periphery thereof is aplurality of bucket-like members,each generally indicated at103 and indicated in the lower portion ofFigure 2 as four in number, by way of example. These bucket-like members103 preferably comprise, a vane-like member 1 03a, conveniently planeand set at an angle, more clearly pointed out hereinafter, together withend wall members extending at right angles to the member 103a. Thesebucket-like members 103 rotate with their respective separating units,

Thebucket-lilre members103 of all of the separating units aresubstantially of similar construction but it is noted here that, sincethe separating units 62' and 64 rotate in counterclockwise directionabout their own axes, the bucket members 103 are so positioned thattheir open ends face in the direction of rotation, as is indicated withrespect to the unit, 64 in Figure 2. Since, however, the separatingunits 6.3 and rotate in clockwise direction the buckets 103;, though ofsimilar construction to the construction of the buckets 103 of the units62 and 6 1, are mounted so that their open ends face toward thedirection in which the units 63 and 65 are rotated, as is clearlyindicated with respect to the unit 6.5 in Figure 2.

Substantially overlapping the right-hand open end of the member 79 (seeFigure 1) which coacts with the roller bearing 80 to rotatably supportthe unit 64, is a plate-like member 10d (see also Figure 2) secured tothe supporting member 51 as by the screws 105. The plate-like member 101 is substantially disk-shaped but is cut away, as indicated at 105,, toexpose to the chamber C of the casing 565Z that portion of theright-hand end of the passage 7 9 that is remote from the axis of thedriving member 17.

Secured to the plate 104:, as by the cap screw 106, is a substantiallyL-shaped member 10? (see Figure 1) having a, tube-like portion 108extending substantially along the axis of rotation of the unit 6 1, thistube-like portion 108 passing also through a suitable opening in thewall member 7 7 and having an opening 109 on that side thereof; remotefrom the axis of the member 1'? and communicating with the hollowinterior of the member 79, The inner portion of the member 107 extendsradially toward the axis of the member 17 and terminates in'afunnel-like member 110, the open end of which is juxtaposed to whateverbucket members 103 happen to traverse that are of their path of rotationabout their own axes as falls substantially within a circle drawnthrough the axes of the several separating units.

Considering now the separating action that takes place, as well as themanner of dis char ing the separated constituents, it may first be notedthat the mixture enters the several separating units at their left-handends (as viewed in Figure 1) through the passages 91. Since the actionthat takes place in the several separating units is substantiallysimilar, it will suffice to describe the action that takes place in oneunit alone, such as the unit 64.

As the unit 641 is whirled about the axis of the driving member 17, themixture within the unit 64 is held, by the centrifugal force, in thoseportions of the unit remote from this axis of rotation and the solidmaterial indicated by the small dots at 111 in Figure 1, being ofgreater specific gravity than the liquid in which it is in suspension isaffected to greater extent by the centrifugal force and becomesprogressively more concentrated adjacent the inner wall of the unit 64as the material operated upon gradually moves from the left toward theright, as viewed in Figure 1. The movement in this direction is broughtabout in part by the tapered construction of the separating unit itself,the centrifugal force being a function of the radius and increasing asthe radius to the axis of the member 17 increases. I

By the time the mixture has reached the right-hand end of the vessel 66,thesolid material finds itself substantially segregated into a strata orlayer most remote from the axis of the member 17 (that is, toward thebottom of the vessel 66, as viewed in Figure 1) while the liquidconstituent of the'mixture is substantially clear or free from solidmatter 7 throughout those portions of the volume thereof more closelyapproaching the axis of the member 17 The radial extent or level of theliquid within the separating unit, with respect to the axis of themember 17 is determined by the outermost exit passages 10110 2, throughwhich the liquid is discharged.

During the above-described action, however, the separating unit 6 1 isrelatively slowly rotated about its own axis so as to bring the bucketmembers 103 successfully and progressively into the regions where theconcen tration of solid material is greatest, these buckets scooping upthe solid material and during continued rotationthereof carrying thesolid material to that side of the axis of rotation of the separatingunit that is nearest the axis of the member 11. During the collecting orscooping action of the buckets 103 the centrifugal action upon the solidmaterial acts to hold the latter within the buckets, but during thesuccessive range of movement of the buckets, that is, throughoutsubstantially that part of rotation of the separating unit about its ownaxis as extends between that axis and the axis of the member 17, thecentrifugal force exerted upon the solid material, still acting in ageneral outward direction with respect to the axis of the member 17, nowacts to discharge the solid material from the buckets 103, the latterhaving become reversed in their relative position due to the rotationthereof about the axis of the unit itself.

The slope of the vane-like member 103a of the buckets 103 is such as tofacilitate the discharge of the solid material from the buckets due tothis centrifugal action, the solid material discharging into thefunnel-shaped rial thus being discharged continues in a di- K rection tomove the material out through the opening 105 in the plate 104 todischarge this solid material into chamber C, from the walls of which itdrops down and is discharged out of the apparatus through the dischargecon duit 112 extending through the base 10 (see Figure 1) A spiral vane113 (see Figure 1) is mounted in the interior of the hollow member 7 9and the latter member, rotating slowly with 1 the separating unit 64:,thus causes a rotation of the spiral vane 113 in a direction to insuremovement of the solid material in a direction toward the right along theinterior of the member 79, thus to make sure that the solid material isdependably and rapidly moved from the opening 109 to the dischargeopening 105.

The substantially clear liquid discharges through the discharge passages101-102 but only through those which are successively positioned, due tothe rotation of the separating unit, outside of a circle passing throughthe axes of rotation of the several separating units, the centrifugalforce insuring the discharge of the liquid therethrough.

The left-hand inner wall of the chamber B is curved so as to deflect thedischarging liquid in a direction toward the right, as viewed in Figure1 and as indicated at 11 1; this curvature is such, moreover, as todeflect the discharge liquid into a substantially peripheral- 1yextending member 115, of substantially channel cross-section, suitablysecured to a rib 116 on the interior of the casing members 56-57. Thischannel member 115 guides the discharged liquid downwardly to eitherside of the vertical axis of the apparatus, as viewed in Figure 2, tothe bottom portion of the base member 10, whence it may be withdrawnthrough the conduit 117.

- Referrin again to Figure 1, it is to be noted that flie liquid mixtureenters the lefthand end of the separating unit through the passages 91,and, after having the foreign matter removed therefrom, is dischargedfrom the separating unit also at the left-hand end thereof but throughthe discharge passages 101-102; in passing from the entry passages tothe exit passages,however, the liquid is made to traverse a pathmaterially greater than the length of the separating unit itself, due tothe action of the interior vessel 99. By this action and constructionmany advantages are achieved. Among these may be noted the fact thatgreater compactness of construction, as well as more effective andeflicient separation are achieved.

As above noted, the material entering through the passages 91 passes ina direction toward the ri ht, as viewed in Figure 1, along the outermostportions of the tapered vessel 66 and substantially along the annularpassage between the members 66 and 99. Reaching the ri ht-hand end ofthe vessel 66, the solid matter is substantially concentrated in thepath of rotary movement (about the axis of the unit 64) 0f the buckets103, which effect removal of the solid material from this region, asabove described.

The substantially clear liquid can approach theexit passages 101-102only by passage in a direction toward the left within the vessel 99 andalong those portions thereof remote from the axis of the driving member17. Such movement toward the left of the liquid within the member 99 isaccompanied by a continued separating action due to the centrifugalforces acting, and any foreign or solid particles that tend to becarried toward the exit passages 101 are forced into contact with theinner walls of the vessel 99, but these walls being tapered and hence ofprogressively increasing distance from the axis of the member 17 cause aprogressive movement in a direction toward the right, as viewedin'Figure 1, of these solid particles, the centrifugal force actingthereon increasing progressively as the distance from the axis of themember 17 increases. The action, therefore, on foreign matters that maystill be entrapped or suspended in the liquid which moves toward theexit passages is to cause a positive movement there of toward the openend of the vessel 99 whence they are discharged into close proximity tothe region where the bucket members 103 are active to remove the solidmaterial.

Thus, a. highly efficient separating action is achieved and theseparated liquid discharged from the apparatus rendered free fromforeign material to a very high degree and efficiency.

While I prefer to employ a tapered construction of both of the vessels66 and 99 that make up each separating unit and'thereby achieve manythoroughly practical advantages both with respect to the separating unitachieved and the features of mechanical constructions, yet I may employwith good results a construction substantially like that shown in Figure3 in which is shown a modified form which the separating unitsindividually may take. In Figure 3 I have indicated generally at 118 aseparating unit the mounting and drive of which is substantially similarto that hereinabove described. The unit 118, however, is made up of avessel 119 and an interior vessel 120, both of which are substantiallycylindrical (as distinguished from the tapered or frusto-conical shapeof the vessels 66 and 99 of Figure 1) and the unit 118 is mounted torevolve about an axis which, like the axes of the units 64, 63, 62 i andof Figures 1 and 2, is parallel to the axis of the driving member 17about which the units are bodily whirled or rotated. In order to achievea progressive movement of the separated solid matter in a direction fromthe left toward the right, as viewed in Figure 3, and both with respectto the outer tensity or rapidity of the separating action by varying thespeed of rotation of the several separating units about the axis oft'hedriving member 1?, as by making appropriate adjustment of the speedchange mechanism- -l1 of Figure 5, and I can achieve any desired rate ofmovement of separated solid: material into position to be acted upon bythe hue et's 103 and remove it from the apparatus, by predetermining therate of rotation of the separating units 118 about their own axes bymeans of the speed change mech-v anism 15.

Referring now to Figure 4, I have illustrated another of variouspossible embodiments vhich certain features of my invention may take,and I have shown at 123 a separating unit in which the outer vessel 121- and the inner vessel 125 are straight cylinders (in this respect notunlike the vessels 119 and 120 of Figure 3) in order to achieve aneiiicient movement in a direction toward the right (as viewed in Figure4:) of the solid material separated or undergoing separation from theliquid, I mount the unit (or units) 123 so that the right-hand end ofthe axis of the unit 123 is more remote from the axis of the drivingmember 17 (about which the units are whirled or rotated) than is theleft-hand end of the axis. Thus, the outermost portions of the vessels12 1 and 125, with which the material operated upon is in contact, areprogressively more remote from the axis of the member 11'? the righthandend of the unit 12 is approached, thereby effecting a progressiveincrease in the centrifugal action on the sold material and acorresponding definite and positive movement thereof in a directiontoward the buckets 103.

The driving of the separating units shown in Figures 3 and a is achievedin substantially the same manner as hereinabove described in connectionwith Figures 1 and 2, but because of the tilted relation of the axis ofthe unit 123 with respect to the axis of the driving member 17, I preferto form the gear 26a on the shaft 21 appropriately beveled and also toshape the intermediate gear or gears 86a substantially similarlybeveled, all as will be cl ar from Figure l.

It will thus be seen that I have provided in this invention an apparatusin which the several objects hereinbefore noted, as well as manythoroughly practical advantages are successfully achieved. Moreparticularly, the apparatus is well adapted to meet the widely varyingconditions of practical use. In this latter connection, it might benoted that the dii'liculty of separation of the materials to be operatedupon may vary in practice throughout exceedingly wide limits, dependingupon such factors as the relative physical and chemical characteristicsof the liquid and the solid particles mingled therewith or suspendedtherein, the relative specific gravities, the degree of concentration ofsolid particles in the liquid, the mass of these particles, and thelike. Yet, by a relative predetermination of the speed of whirling orrotation of the separating units about the axis of the driving member17, achieved by adjustment of the speed change mechanism ll, and of thespeed of rotation of the individual separating units about their ownaxes, by means of the speed change mechanism 47, the apparatus may bequickly suited to meet and successfully cope with the widely varyingcharacteristics of materials met with in practice and the separation ofwhich is desired. It will furthermore be seen that the apparatus is ofthoroughly prac tical and rugged construction and is compact and is welladapted for long continued operation with a minimum of manual attention.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention and asmany changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is tobe understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown in theaccompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

I claim:

1. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a pluralityof rotatable containers, means mounting said containers for rotationabout their respective axes and for rotation about an axis extraneous ofsaid first-mentioned axes, said means including a rotatable member inwhich said containers are mounted for rotation, means for rotating saidrotatable member and for rotating said containers about their respectiveaxes, each of said containers having ahollow trunnionlike memberrotatably supported by said rotatable member, and means for supplyingmaterial to be treated to said containers and through said hollowtrunnion-like member.

2. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a pluralityof rotatable containers, means mounting said containers for rotationabout their respective axes and for rotation about an axis extraneous ofsaid first-mentioned axes, each of said containers having interiorlythereof a bucket-like member, means for supplying to said containers amaterial to be separated, means for withdrawing the separatedconstituents of said material from said containers and including meansadapted to receive material discharged by said bucket-like members,means for rotating said containers about said external axis, means forrotating said containers about their own axes, and means forpredetermining the ratio of the speeds of rotation of said containersabout their own axes and about said external axis.

3. In apparatusof the character described, in combination, a container,means mounting said container for rotation about its own axis and aboutan axis spaced from said firstmentioned axis, said container havingimpcrforate interior walls extending substantially from an inlet end tothe other end thereof, said walls being progressively more distant fromsaid spaced axis and having their greatest distance therefrom adjacentsaid other end, means for supplying to said container and at said inletend thereof a material to be operated upon, means at the other end ofsaid container and rotatable therewith for intercepting a separatedconstituent of said material, means for receiving material discharged bysaid intercepting means, and means for removing another constituent ofsaid material from said container.

4:. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, acontainer, means mounting said container for rotation about its own axisand about an axis spaced from said firstmentioned axis, said containerhaving double interior spaced walls extending substantially from one endof said container to the other and progressively more distant from saidspaced axis, means for supplying to the space between said spaced wallsof said container and at said first-mentioned end thereof a material tobe operated upon, means at the other end of said container and rotatabletherewith for intercepting a separated constitutent of said material,means for receiving material discharged by said intercepting means,means connecting with the space within the inner of said two walls forremovinganother constituent of said material from said container, andmeans for predetermin- .ing theratio of drive ofsaid container about asaid two axes. a

.5. "In-apparatus of the character described,

n in combination, a container, means mounting said container forrotation aboutits ownaxis and=about an axis spaced from saidfirstmentioned axis. said means including -'a trunnion-like memberhaving a passage -'therethrough communicating withtheinterior of 5 saidcontainer, means :for rotating said container about said axes, andadditionalmeans communicatingwith the interior of saidcon- :tainer, saidlast-mentioned .means and said passage serving to permit movement of'zomaterial relative :to the interior of said container.

6. In apparatus of the character described,

in combination, a container, means mounting said container for rotationabout its own axis as-and about an axis spaced from said firstmentionedaxis, said means includinga trunnion-like -member having-a passagetherethrough communicating with the interior. of

7, said container, means for rotating said confifltainerabout-said axes,and means rotatable "about said spaced axis, communicating with saidpassage, and-extending'into said container and adapted to receive"material dis charged "from those portions of the interior i fifi wallsof saidrcontainer'nearestsaid spaced axis. A

7. In'apparatus of the character described, in combination, acontainenmeans mounting said container for rotation about ,its own 40axis and aboutan axis spaced from said firstmentioned axis, saidxmeansincluding a truninion like member having a passage therethrough"communicating'with the interior of said container, means for rotatingsaid container'about said axes, and a conduit member rotatable-aboutsaidspaced axis having one end in communicationwith said passage and itsother end openin' a direction toward said spaced-axis. I 8. Inapparatus'ofthe character described, in'combination, a container,meansmounting said containerfor-"rotation about itsown axis "and about'antaxis spaced from said firstmentionedaxis, means for rotating saidcontainerrabout saidaxes, meansfor supplying to said container andcloselyfadj acent one end thereof a material'to' be operated upon, means-at'the same end ofsaid container for' permitting the discharge of 'aseparatechconstituent of said material,and-"means for carrying saidconstituent toward the other end of, said container beforepermitting itsdischarge through said discharge means.

9. Inapparatus of the character described, inccombination, acontainer,;means mount ing said container for rotation about its ownaxis and about .an ,aXis spaced from said first-mentioned axis, meansfor rotating said container about said axes, meansfor supplyingto'saidcontainer and closely adj a- ,7 cent one end thereof a material to beoper .ated up0n, means at-the same end of said container for permittingthe discharge of La separated constituent of said :material, and meansfor causing said constituent to travel 7 substantially'to 't-hecthenendof said container before being discharged through iSiLld dischargemeans. 1'0.- In :apparatus of the character described, in combination,acontainer, means; mounting. said container for rotation about its'ownaxis and aboutanaxisrspaced from said first-mentioned axis, means forrotating said container about said axes, means for supplying to:saidcontainer -and-fat oneend thereof material to .be operated upon,means at substantially the same end of said .container foripermittingthe discharge of'a separated constituent of saidrinateri-al and anannular wall member within said container r and interpOsed betWeen said.two last-men- --tione.dymeans. v r

v- .11, In apparatus of' the character 'de-' scribed, invcombinationfacontainer, means. mounting said" container for :rotation about its ownaxis and about an 2 axis spaced 1 from said first-mentioned axis, meansforrrotating said 'containeri about said axes; means .-subidividingca'portion: of'the interior of said container into an *outersubstantially annular space and an inner space,*'-imeansfor supplying amaterialto be separated intoits-constituents to said container andconnecting with said annular space, means permitting the dischargeofa'separated constituent from 1 5 said'container and connecte'd'withsaid -inside space', i and means for removing another separatedconstituent from said container.

"125-111 apparatus of 'the character described,- in combination, acontainer, means mounting said container for rotation about its own axisand-about an axis spaced from said first-mentioned axis, means forrotating saidconta'iner about said axes, said container havingvmeansextending substantially axially thereof and providing a passage comnunicating with the interior of saidcontainer, and 'means for discharginga-sepa-rated constitu- -ent'from said container into said passage,=thewalls o'fsaid passage remotefroin-said spaced axis beingprogressively-more distant from saidispaced :axis in. a direction "awayfrom said container.-

"13.111 apparatus ofthe-character.idescribed, in combination,-.acontainer,-:means mounting said container for: rotation about itsownaxis: and about an axis spaced from said firstemention ed axis, meansfor-rotating said container about'saidaxes said container havingmeans-extending substantially'axial- 1y thereof and providing a passagecommunieating with the interior of sa1d container, means for discharginga separated constltuent from said container into said passage, and meansfor causing movement of material along said passage. 7

'14. In apparatus of the character de- "thereof and providing a passagecommunicating with the interior of said container, means "fordischarging a separated constituent from said container into saidpassage, and rotating spiral means for causing movement of materialalong said passage.

15. In apparatus of the character described, in combination,a-container, means mounting said'container for-rotation about itsown'axis and about an axis spaced from said first-mentioned axis, saidmeans including a hollow trunnion-like member rotatable with saidcontainer and the interior offwhich communicates with the interior ofsaid container, and means for rotating said container about said axes,the interior walls of said trunnion-like member being tapered in adirection to cause movement of material therealong. a

16. In apparatus of the character described, in combination,a-container, means comprising-a rotatable member and a trunnion mountedtherein for mounting said container'for rotation abou t its own axis andabout an axis spaced from said first-mentioned axis, means for rotatingsaid container about saidaxes, means connected with one end of saidcontainer for supplying the latter with a material adapted to beseparated into its'constituents, means connecting with the other end ofsaid container for permitting discharge of a separated constituenttherefrom, and means permitting discharge of anotherseparated'constituent from said container, said container beingconstructed and mounted to cause movement of material from saidfirst-mentioned end of said container to the other.

17. In apparatus of; the character described, in combination,a pluralityof rotatable containers, means mounting said containers for rotationabout their respective axes and for rotation about'an axis extraneous ofsaid-first-mentioned axes, means for rotating said containers, means atone end of each container for supplying the latter with a material to beseparated, means adjacent said one end for discharging a separatedconstituent of said material, means at the other end of saidcont-ainerfor removing therefrom 'anotherfseparated constituent of said material,and means causing movement in a diabout its own axis.

rection toward said other end of said container of such of saidlast-mentioned constituent as tendsto be carried along toward saiddischarge means with said first-mentioned constituent.

18. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a pluralityof rotatable containers, meansmounting said contain'ers for rotationabout their respective axes and for rotation about an axis extraneous ofsaid first-mentioned axes, means forrotat- 'ing said containers, meansat one end of each container for supplying the latter witha material tobe separated, means adjacent said one end for discharging a separatedconstituent of.

said material, means at theother end of said container for removingtherefrom another separated constituent of said material, each of saidcontainers being constructed and mounted to cause movement of saidlast-men tioned constituent in a direction toward said other end.

19. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a pluralityof rotatable containers, means mounting said containersfor rotationabout their respective axes an'dffor rotating about an axis extraneousof said first-mentioned axes, means for ing said mounting means, meansinterconnecting several of said containers so that one may be rotatedabout its axis from another, and means for driving one of said severalcontainers 21. In apparatus of the character described, in combination,aplurality of rotatable 'containers, means mounting said containers forrotation about their respective axes and for rotating about an axisextraneous of said first-mentioned axes, means for rotating saidmounting means about said extraneous axis, means comprisingsubstantially an annular rack, one for each container, for gearing saidcontainers together, and means for rotating 22. In apparatus of thecharacter described, in combination, a plurality of separating units,means mounting said units for rotation about their'respectiveaxes andfor rotation about an axis extraneous of said first-mentioned axis,means for supplying to said units amateria-l intended to be separatedinto its constituents, means forming an egress from said unitsfordischarging therefrom a one of said containers separated constituent,means forming an egress for discharging from said units anotherseparated constituent, and means forming substantially a chamberextending peripherally about at least portions of said units andpositioned to receive a separated constituent discharged from one ofsaid egress means.

23. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a pluralityof separating units, means mounting said units for rotation about theirrespective axes and for rotation about an axis extraneous of saidfirst-mentioned axis, means for supplying to said units a materialintended to be separated into its constituents, means for forming anegress from said units for discharging therefrom a separatedconstituent, means forming an egress for discharging from said unitsanother separated constituent, and means substantially encasing saidunits and sub-divided into a plurality of chambers adapted respectivelyto receive the individual separated constituents discharged by said twoegress means.

24. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a pluralityof separating units comprising enclosed rotatable drums, means mountingsaid units for rotation about their respective axes and for ro- I tationabout an axis extraneous of said firstmentionecl axis, each of saiddrums being double-walled, means for supplying to the space between thedouble walls of said units a material intended to be separated into'itsconstituents, each of said drums being imperforate, means adapted topermit the discharge of a separated constituent from said space betweenthe double walls of said units and constructed to emit a dischargedconstituent substantially in response to the centrifugal action thereoncaused by the rotation of said units about said extraneous axis, meanspositioned to intercept the centrifugally discharged constituent, andmeans connected with the space within the inner of said double walls fordischarging another separated constituent.

25. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a pluralityof separating units, a pair of spaced members between which said unitsare mounted for rotation, a substantially hollow driving membersupporting said spaced members and adapted upon rotation thereof torotate said spaced members, a driving shaft extending through saidhollow driving member, and driving connections intermediate of saidspaced members for rotating said units from said shaft.

26. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a pluralityof separating units, a pair of spaced members be,- tween which saidunits are mounted for rotation, a substantially hollow driving mem- .bersupporting said spaced members and adapted upon rotation thereof tovrotate said "spaced members, a driving Sl'lfiftWVlC-hHI-Sfiltl hollowdriving member. and having a gear thereon, said hollow driving memberbeingshaped to expose saidgear intermediate of said-spaced supportingmember, and geared connections meshing withsaid gear for rotating saidunits about theirirespective. axes.

27.;1n apparatus of .the icharacter described, in combination, aplurality of separating units, a pair of spaced members between whichsaid units are mounted for rotation, a substantially hollow drivingmember supporting said spaced members and adapted upon rotation thereofto rotate said spaced members, a driving shaft within said hollowdriving member and having a gear thereon, said hollow driving memberbeing shaped to expose said gear intermediate of] said spaced supportingmember, a gear mounted to rotate with said hollow driving member andmeshing with saidfirst-mentioned gear, and geared connections drivenfrom said second-mentioned gear for rotating said units about theirrespective axes.

28.111 apparatus of the character described, in combination, a pluralityof rotatable containers, means mounting said containers for rotationabout their respective axes and for rotation about an axis extra-' neousof said first-mentioned axes, means for rotating said containers, saidcontainers each being double-walled and having interior imperforate'walls extending substantially from the inlet end to the other endthereof, said walls being progressively more distant from saidextraneous axis and having their greatest distance therefrom adjacentsaid other end, means at said inlet end of each for rotation about anextraneousaxis, said container having an inside wall member spaced fromthe wall of the container and extending from one closed end of thelatter to a point spaced from the other closed end of the container,means supplying a material to be separated into its constituents to thespace between said two walls and at that end thereof adjacent saidfirst-mentioned closed end ofsaid container, means causing travel ofmaterial in said space toward the other closed end of said container,means adjacent said last-mentioned closed end for receiving a separatedconstituent, and means communicating with the space Within said interiorwall member for discharging another separated constituent.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this28th day of November, 1928.

FRANCISCO A. QUIROZ.

